Clinic Visit Update....
I took Jake in this morning for his spinal tap. Things went really, really good.
To prepare for this procedure, Jake took a Valium with breakfast (oh how we all wish we could start our day like this) and we also put some numbing cream on the area of his back where they would be performing the procedure. We got to the Dr and they took some blood so they could get his counts taken care of. Once they had taken the blood, they gave him some additional pain medication to help him out.
The spinal tap was all done right there in the Dr's office. Jake held a rolled up blanket on his lap and used it to brace his body while he hunched over. The whole procedure then took about 6-10 minutes while they drained some spinal fluid and then gave him his Chemo. Once they were done, he needed to lay down for about 1/2 hour to let the medicine work its way around his spinal column.
Blood counts were great - ANC Count of 2130. His platelet count was over 560,000 and his white blood counts were in the normal range. His red blood cell counts are still a little low, but the Dr said this is normal as the bone marrow begins to work its way back to normal cell processing.
Next appointment is scheduled for 6/30.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Friday Updates
First of all, let me clarify, I know that today is not Friday. I am rather behind because I indulged in a lazy wonderful weekend with my guys. Brian promised an update on Friday - so here it is - (on Monday)
On Friday Jacob had what should be his last surgery for awhile. The results of his bone marrow biopsy showed no leukemia cells and that puts us officially into remission. His blood work backed that up, his ANC is up to 2460 which means his immune system is up and functioning and he is creating wonderful, healthy blood.
We now start the second phase of chemotherapy which is called consolidation. Consolidation will last for a month and consist of daily oral chemotherapy and weekly spinal taps to give chemo intrathecally. The process for the spinal tap is Jacob will sit on our lap, facing us - with a pillow in between us - we hug and the Dr does the spinal tap. Which means that Brian and I will get a picture perfect view of the ongoings. Yikes! We will have the first go round this Friday so please pray for us and the Dr that all goes well. They have instructed us to give a Valium before the appointment - I should have asked if that applied to the parent as well.
Saturday afternoon we went to the pool and it was wonderful. The water was warm, the sun shining and Jake and I were finally brave enough to go all the way into the pool, (we had been stair sitters the previous week due to cold water!) We even got Daddy to the pool - of course we brought him home a lil redder then we started off. I love summer. We plan on swimming as many days as possible and are looking for friends to join us. Call Me!
On Sunday - Brian's wish was to ... do nothing. Let me tell you, we can do nothing with the best of them and had a great day. Having a lock on the best Dad in the world for my boys makes it an easy day to celebrate even if the agenda is ... nothing.
Our day of nothing must have been exhausting for Jake because he stayed in bed till 11 o'clock this morning. There are just days that his body need lots of rest and today was one of them. I have not exactly figured out the rhythm or the pattern yet - it seems to vary. He did end his day, happily, snacking on a bowl of popcorn and giggling that he had the whole bowl to himself.
On Friday Jacob had what should be his last surgery for awhile. The results of his bone marrow biopsy showed no leukemia cells and that puts us officially into remission. His blood work backed that up, his ANC is up to 2460 which means his immune system is up and functioning and he is creating wonderful, healthy blood.
We now start the second phase of chemotherapy which is called consolidation. Consolidation will last for a month and consist of daily oral chemotherapy and weekly spinal taps to give chemo intrathecally. The process for the spinal tap is Jacob will sit on our lap, facing us - with a pillow in between us - we hug and the Dr does the spinal tap. Which means that Brian and I will get a picture perfect view of the ongoings. Yikes! We will have the first go round this Friday so please pray for us and the Dr that all goes well. They have instructed us to give a Valium before the appointment - I should have asked if that applied to the parent as well.
Saturday afternoon we went to the pool and it was wonderful. The water was warm, the sun shining and Jake and I were finally brave enough to go all the way into the pool, (we had been stair sitters the previous week due to cold water!) We even got Daddy to the pool - of course we brought him home a lil redder then we started off. I love summer. We plan on swimming as many days as possible and are looking for friends to join us. Call Me!
On Sunday - Brian's wish was to ... do nothing. Let me tell you, we can do nothing with the best of them and had a great day. Having a lock on the best Dad in the world for my boys makes it an easy day to celebrate even if the agenda is ... nothing.
Our day of nothing must have been exhausting for Jake because he stayed in bed till 11 o'clock this morning. There are just days that his body need lots of rest and today was one of them. I have not exactly figured out the rhythm or the pattern yet - it seems to vary. He did end his day, happily, snacking on a bowl of popcorn and giggling that he had the whole bowl to himself.
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